LEICESTER "FREE SCHOOL" PRAISED

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Head Sally Hughes with, from left, Diya Mistry, Myleen Mander, Neha Kancherla, Malwina Fudala & Abhay Keshwala 

Leicester "free school" praised

by Fiona Dryden, Education Correspondent

The first of the Government's "free" schools to open in the city has been given a good Ofsted report.

The visit was the first by inspectors from the education watchdog to Krishna Avanti Primary, in Evington, which opened two years ago.

Inspectors said pupils made good progress from their starting points, teaching was good and Krishna Avanti had a warm and caring environment which made good provision to support pupils' strong spiritual development.

Interim head teacher Sally Hughes, who took over from outgoing principal Christopher Spall when he left just before Easter, said: "It's fantastic news. The inspection was rigorous, but the outcome was just as we expected, showing that we know exactly what level we're operating at and what we need to do to become outstanding. It's well within reach."

Free schools can be started by charities, parents or teachers. They are outside local authority control, but are paid for by the state.

The report said pupils' behaviour was outstanding and they were "highly motivated learners who were kind, considerate, and caring" towards one another.

They said that staff used innovative IT to bring learning to life and this supported children well.

In addition, they praised the quality of teaching in the Early Years Foundation stage for being "outstanding".

They said that classrooms and their displays were vibrant and learning was "well-organised".

Mrs Hughes was also praised for settling in so quickly and rapidly winning the confidence of parents and staff.

They said she had an "accurate overview" of the school's performance.

She said: "The report is a true reflection of what we're doing here and highlights many of our strengths.

"I think the school's ethos of tolerance and respect shone through during the inspection. It's evident in our pupils' eagerness to learn and enthusiasm to be here.

"We have some outstanding teachers and have employed two more, along with four extra teaching assistants who start in September to accommodate our growing numbers."

The school will have 165 pupils in the new academic year and will be at planned capacity.

Mrs Hughes said: "We're a school that embraces all cultures and that was highlighted in the report through our pupils' spiritual, moral, and cultural development."

Pradip Gajjar, chair of governors, said: "We've done exceptionally well in our first report and we know what we need to do to be even better. The school is oversubscribed for September and that speaks volumes for the confidence of parents in what we're doing.

"We feel very proud of what's already been achieved."

To improve even further, inspectors said that teachers should be more confident to adapt activities.

SACRE AT BAPS SHRI SWAMINARAYAN MANDIR

At BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Gipsy Lane, this afternoon for the regular scheduled meeting of Leicester SACRE (Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education).

I'm asked to remove my shoes as soon as I step inside the building. I confess to feeling suddenly despondent at this point, as I can't bear my feet being cold and it’s bloomin’ freezing today and I’ve walked almost an hour to get here. But - miracle of miracles - the temple has heating beneath the marble floor tiles!

For half an hour before the meeting, SACRE members are given a guided tour of the Mandir. Sadly for me, I’m late and miss this part.

In the meeting, we have the second presentation in our ongoing series, Faith Focus, in which one of the members of SACRE is given the opportunity to introduce the group to their religion or belief. Today, appropriately enough, it’s a presentation on Hinduism by Hiten Bhatt, with particular emphasis on the BAPS Swainarayan tradition.

Extracts from two DVDs produced by Leicester Youth SACRE ar shown. The first of these DVDs was filmed at the conference, Challenging RE, on Friday 4 November at Holy Trinity Church. The second, a more purely promotional DVD, in which Youth SACRE members express what they’ve gained out of being involved and in which small groups of members discuss various topics (e.g. identity and belonging; peace and conflict; Wills and Kate’s royal wedding; the killing of Osama Bin Laden; religious stereotypes; prayer; and arranged marriages).

Jill Carr (SACRE’s Secretary) makes a presentation on the place of Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural education (SMSC) in the new Ofsted framework (and its implications for schools).

In the past year there were anxieties about the position of RE. However, the new Ofsted framework was introduced in September and there is more emphasis on the inspection of SMSC (spiritual, moral, social and cultural education) and less on community cohesion. 

Inspections will judge how well the school promotes SMSC development of pupils. What matters most is how well schools ensure high standards of achievement, learning and behaviour for their pupils, as well as contributing to their SMSC development and take account for it. All schools should be promoting pupils SMSC development and preparing pupils for life.

“In the present inspection framework, SMSC development is regarded as an outcome for pupils, which is often aligned with judgements about pupils’ behaviour and the extent to which they contribute to the school and wider community.” The new framework proposes “to shift the focus so that consideration of how well the school promotes pupils’ SMSC development forms part of the judgement on overall effectiveness. Evidence to support this will be gathered from consideration of the quality of teaching, pupils’ behaviour and attitudes, achievement, and leadership and management.”

RE, art and music are some examples of subjects that promote aspects of SMSC provision. However, discussion with pupils and staff will provide an important insight as to how SMSC is planned as part of the curriculum in other subjects. Pupils’ spiritual development is shown by their beliefs, religious or otherwise, which inform their perspective on life and their interest in and respect for different people’s feelings and values.

Jill explained how school can promote each individual aspect of SMSC development. Overall, it was good news for RE. Pupils' attitudes have changed towards RE they enjoy doing it and GCSE numbers have increased year on year. On this evidence, then, we may concluded that the RE community is stronger than ever!

Draft copies of SACRE’s annual report were distributed (an electronic version was circulated in advance of this meeting). Jill Carr summarised key points:

Standards and Quality of provision of RE:

• One RE subject inspection this year
• 27 Section 5 inspections fewer than last year
• Fewer schools achieving higher grades for SMSC and Community Cohesion
• In Leicester number taking full course remained static
• Exam results improved A* and A brackets went up considerably

Quality Learning, teaching, leadership and Management:

• Some training offered
• Recruitment of staff is good
• Head teachers in primary schools keen to promote RE / SMSC

The effectiveness of the locally Agreed Syllabus:

• Embraced by schools
• Raising standards of RE in the classroom
• Adopted by Diocese and Blackburn with Darwen Education Authority
• Around 30 Agreed Syllabuses have been sold
• It will be amended in two years – runs for five years

Collective Worship

• SACRE has contributed to Collective Worship in schools
• There have been five new determinations
• New certificate in place
• In future, more SACRE input

Management of SACRE

• Generally well attended meetings in different settings
• Vacancies in groups B and D

Leicester Youth SACRE

• Continue to be difficulties in meetings
• DVD completed
• Strategies needed to consolidate membership and meeting times

SACRE & Community Cohesion

• Engaging with Faith Communitiess booklet
• Interfaith initiatives
• School outreach
• Sacred Spaces

Development Plan

• Clear priorities for this year 2011-2012
• To develop links between Leicester SACRE and schools
• To raise the profile of SACRE
• To support the work of Leicester Youth SACRE

See a slideshow of images of Leicester's BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir here.

COLLECTIVE WORSHIP IN LEICESTER SCHOOLS: STATEMENT FROM SACRE

The Leicester City SACRE and Leicester City RE Consultant recognise that part of their role is to provide guidance and support for schools of effective provision for Collective Worship and support for determinations following the requirements set out in 1944 (and amended in 1988). Daily collective worship is a duty on schools and our council’s view would always be to meet the legal requirements.

The requirements for collective worship as a school activity are both different and distinct from the requirements regarding RE in the curriculum.

The Leicester SACRE is aware that the requirements for collective worship are not now being followed in all our schools, especially secondary schools, for a variety of reasons, including lack of suitable spaces and/or leaders for collective worship. Many of our secondary schools hold weekly collective worship and on the other days have a “Thought for the Day” with an opportunity for short, quiet time of reflection. This has been reported regularly by Ofsted over the years. However, this does not mean that schools have not provided opportunities for the spiritual and moral development of young people, many good examples of which Ofsted have also reported in the past year:

“Pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is outstanding. Pupils make excellent contributions to the school and wider community, for example taking responsibility for helping teachers to identify in assemblies those pupils who demonstrate good listening skills.” (Abbey Primary school)

At Sparkenhoe Junior school the effective development of spirituality was commended:

“There is a suitably strong emphasis on developing pupils’ personal, social, emotional and moral development which results in Year 6 pupils being thoughtful, mature and responsible young people whose spiritual, moral, social and cultural understanding is excellent.”

Judgemeadow Community College was praised to the excellent spiritual development which was integrated into every subject:

“Students; spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is outstanding. There are very good opportunities for students to develop their creativity, celebrate their cultural heritage and broaden their cultural experience through contact with artists, musicians and writers.”

The SACRE has only one statutory duty with regard to collective worship. It is to grant a determination to a community school where it is felt collective worship of “a broadly Christian character” is not appropriate for all or some pupils. The application comes from the head teacher after proper consultation with staff, governors and parents. It must be accompanied by alternative plans for collective worship. Currently 21 primary schools and 4 secondary schools hold determinations in Leicester City.

Leicester City determinations: Primary schools

• Abbey Primary School
• Bridge Junior
• Charnwood Primary School
• Catherine Infant
• Coleman Primary School
• Evington Valley Primary School
• Green Lane Infants
• Herrick Primary School
• Highfields primary School
• King Richard III Infant School
• Linden Primary School
• Mayflower primary School
• Medway Primary School
• Rusheymead Primary School
• Sandfield Primary School
• Shenton Primary School
• Sparkenhoe Primary School
• Spinney Hill Primary School
• Uplands Infants
• Uplands Junior School
• Wyvern Primary School

Leicester City determinations: Secondary schools

• Crown Hills Community College
• Judgemeadow community College
• Rusheymead School
• Moat Community College

COMPULSORY RELIGION IS OUT OF DATE

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Compulsory religion is out of date

The findings of a survey suggest many schools are failing to meet their legal obligation to provide pupils with a daily act of worship.

This is not surprising as an Ofsted report a few years ago found only one quarter of schools comply with the requirement. The new survey also found that the majority of respondents – 60 per cent – did not believe a daily act of worship should be enforced.

Given that the law is being widely ignored and most people do not care, is it not time to change it and drop this requirement?

And while we are on the subject, could the same not be said for the obligation placed upon schools to provide religious education?

We have the greatest respect for those who regard religious faith as important. However, that increasingly does not apply to a large proportion of the population who would regard themselves as agnostic, if not atheist.

It would therefore make more sense for schools to make their own decisions, based on the background of their pupils and their own ethos, over issues such as daily acts of worship and whether to teach religious education.

Clearly, religious schools, and the number of these are growing, would want to do these things. Other schools in areas where there are large numbers of religious families might want to do so also.

That would allow parents for whom faith is important to choose accordingly.

However, in an increasingly secular society where many people clearly regard religion as having little or no importance to them, it is surely pointless to tell all schools to have daily acts of worship and teach religious education.

COMPULSORY RELIGION IS OUT OF DATE

This opinion editorial is published in today's Leicester Mercury:

Compulsory religion is out of date 

The findings of a survey suggest many schools are failing to meet their legal obligation to provide pupils with a daily act of worship. This is not surprising as an Ofsted report a few years ago found only one quarter of schools comply with the requirement. The new survey also found that the majority of respondents – 60 per cent – did not believe a daily act of worship should be enforced. 

Given that the law is being widely ignored and most people do not care, is it not time to change it and drop this requirement? 

And while we are on the subject, could the same not be said for the obligation placed upon schools to provide religious education? 

We have the greatest respect for those who regard religious faith as important. However, that increasingly does not apply to a large proportion of the population who would regard themselves as agnostic, if not atheist. 

It would therefore make more sense for schools to make their own decisions, based on the background of their pupils and their own ethos, over issues such as daily acts of worship and whether to teach religious education. 

Clearly, religious schools, and the number of these are growing, would want to do these things. Other schools in areas where there are large numbers of religious families might want to do so also. That would allow parents for whom faith is important to choose accordingly. 

However, in an increasingly secular society where many people clearly regard religion as having little or no importance to them, it is surely pointless to tell all schools to have daily acts of worship and teach religious education.

LEICESTERSHIRE HEAD TEACHERS WANT RETHINK ON SCHOOLS' DAILY WORSHIP

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Leicestershire head teachers want rethink on schools' daily worship 

Some schools in Leicestershire are calling on the Government to change the wording of a law which says they should provide collective Christian worship every day. 

Head teachers said that while a daily assembly was an important part of school life, the requirement for it to focus on the Christian faith did not reflect today's multi-cultural society. 

They spoke after a national BBC survey suggested many state schools are ignoring their duty to provide a daily act of worship. 

While all of the heads who spoke to the Mercury yesterday said they did provide daily worship, some said they interpreted the legislation in ways that fitted the multi-cultural nature of their schools. 

Carolyn Robson is executive head at Rushey Mead School, Leicester, where 95 per cent of pupils are not Christian. 

She said that thought should be given to rewording the law so it better reflected today's society.
"The highest percentage of pupils at Rushey Mead School are of Hindu faith, followed closely by Sikh faith," said Ms Robson. "We interpret the law, like many schools, in a way that fits our school, and it is a way that has always pleased Ofsted. 

"We will learn about and celebrate a whole range of festivals – whether it be Eid, Diwali or a Christian festival. We have a daily assembly for all our pupils in groups of around 300 which will have a moral theme – sometimes religious, sometimes not. 

"It would be highly inappropriate for us to just look at Christian faith. I think some thought should be given to rewording the law so it fits with our multi-cultural society." 

Christopher Hassall is head of Taylor Road Primary School, in St Matthew's, Leicester, where 95 per cent of the 600 pupils are Muslim. 

He said: "The law could do with looking at because we are a multi-faith society now, and particularly in Leicester, where there are large school populations where the children are not Christians." 

Mr Hassall said there were ways of interpreting the law which meant the legal demands of daily worship were still met. 

"What you might call broadly Christian could be called broadly Islamic, broadly Hindu and so on, in that there are certain values, moral values specifically, that different faiths all share, such as telling the truth, helping people who are less fortunate than us," he said. 

The law requires all state schools to provide a daily act of collective worship for their pupils, such as a prayer or hymns, which must be wholly or mainly of a Christian character. 

The only exception is where a school has an affiliation with a different faith. 

Two-thirds of parents questioned in the BBC survey said their child did not attend a daily act of collective worship at school. 

Leicestershire County Council said that it was not involved in monitoring whether schools adhered to the law. 

Leicester City Council did not comment.